Bicycle shift device having a linearly sliding shift lever operated by a pivoting interface member

ABSTRACT

A bicycle shift control device comprises a control body supported by a mounting member, wherein the mounting member defines a handlebar mounting axis (HB); a movable operating body; a transmission that converts movement of the operating body into rotation of the control body; and an interface member movably mounted relative to the operating body. The interface member pivots around a pivot axis (P) for moving the operating body, wherein the pivot axis (P) is inclined relative to the handlebar mounting axis (HB). The interface member comprises a lever including an operating force receiving member and an operating force applying member extending from the operating force receiving member. The operating force receiving member extends from the pivot axis (P), and free ends of the operating force receiving member and the operating force applying member are spaced apart from each other.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/711,702 filed Sep. 30, 2004 and titled “Bicycle Shift Device Having aLinearly Sliding Shift Lever Operated by a Pivoting Interface Member.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a bicycle shift control devicewhich operates a shifting mechanism via a shift control cable, andspecifically concerns a device in which a take-up body that takes up theshift control cable is caused to rotate in the take-up direction bymeans of a first shift lever which freely returns to a home position,and is caused to rotate in the pay-out direction by means of a secondshift lever which freely returns to a separate home position.

A bicycle shift control device of the type noted above for operating ashifting mechanism via a shift control cable is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,921,138. The shift control device includes a control body formounting to a bicycle in close proximity to a handlebar for controllinga pulling and releasing of the shift control cable. A first lever ismounted to the control body for movement which causes the control bodyto effect pulling of the shift control cable, and a second lever ismounted to the control body for movement which causes the control bodyto effect releasing of the shift control cable. One lever is pivotallycoupled to the control body, and the other lever is coupled for linearmovement relative to the control body. The lever structured for linearmovement is coupled to a transmission mechanism for operating thecontrol body in such a way that very little linear movement is needed tooperate the control body. The transmission mechanism includes aplurality of ratchet teeth disposed in a common plane, wherein the pathof movement of the linear operating body is parallel to the plane of theratchet teeth.

Since the linearly moving lever moves in a direction perpendicular tothe handlebar, for optimum operation the rider must position his or herthumb directly in front of the linearly operating lever and press thelever in the direction perpendicular to the handlebar. However, duringcompetitive riding the rider usually does not want to worry about havingto precisely position the thumb to operate the shifting device. Thus, itis desirable to have a shift control device of the kind noted abovewherein the rider does not have to precisely position the thumb in frontof the linearly operating lever for optimum operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to various features of a bicycle shiftcontrol device. In one embodiment, a bicycle shift control devicecomprises a control body supported by a mounting member, wherein themounting member defines a handlebar mounting axis (HB); a movableoperating body; a transmission that converts movement of the operatingbody into rotation of the control body; and an interface member movablymounted relative to the operating body. The interface member pivotsaround a pivot axis (P) for moving the operating body, wherein the pivotaxis (P) is inclined relative to the handlebar mounting axis (HB). Theinterface member comprises a lever including an operating forcereceiving member and an operating force applying member extending fromthe operating force receiving member. The operating force receivingmember extends from the pivot axis (P), and free ends of the operatingforce receiving member and the operating force applying member arespaced apart from each other.

Additional inventive features will become apparent from the descriptionbelow, and such features alone or in combination with the above featuresmay form the basis of further inventions as recited in the claims andtheir equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a particular embodiment of a shift controldevice according to the present invention attached to a handlebar;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the shift control device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the shift control device;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the shift control device, takenalong line IV-IV in FIG. 2, in an inoperative state;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the shift control device showing thelinearly operating body in an operating position;

FIG. 6 is a detailed bottom view of the linearly operating body in ahome position;

FIG. 7 is a detailed bottom view of the linearly operating body in anoperating position; and

FIGS. 8-11 are top views of relevant components of alternativeembodiments of the shift control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-7 are various views of a particular embodiment of a shiftcontrol device 105 according to the present invention. As shown in thoseFigures, shift control device 105 is constructed for pulling andreleasing a shift control cable 104, and it includes a mounting bracket103 with an annular mounting sleeve 103A defining a handlebar mountingaxis (HB), wherein mounting sleeve 103A fits around a handlebar 101 tofasten bracket 103 to handlebar 101 in a known manner. An arm-shapedlinearly sliding first operating body 220 (FIGS. 4-7) of shift controldevice 105 is slidingly mounted to an intermediate bracket 227 attachedto mounting bracket 103 through a screw 228. Sliding operating body 220is located below handlebar 101 and terminates at an end 201 forming anabutment. An interface member in the form of an operating tab 202 withan operating force receiving surface 203, an operating force applyingsurface 204 and parallel spaced mounting ears 206 and 208 is pivotablycoupled to corresponding parallel spaced mounting ears 210 and 212 onintermediate bracket 227 through a pivot shaft 216 and a C-clip 217,wherein pivot shaft 216 extends through openings 221, 222, 224 and 226in mounting ears 206, 208, 210 and 212, respectively so that operatingtab 202 pivots around a pivot axis (P). A decorative cap 232 (FIGS. 1and 2) having the same general structure as operating tab 202 also maybe pivotably mounted to mounting ears 210 and 212 on intermediatebracket 227 or may be otherwise placed over operating tab 202 in orderto vary the shape or inclination of the surface that is operated by thethumb.

A pivoting second operating body 130 of the shift control device 105also extends below the handlebar 101. A finger contacting part 132 ofoperating body 130, in the form of a button, is disposed beneath and tothe right of operating tab 202. As a result, operation of both operatingbodies is possible with the thumb of the hand gripping the handlebar101.

As is shown in FIG. 3, shift control device 105 includes a pawl supportplate 106 with a supporting shaft 108 and a pivot pin 152, all of whichare rigidly fastened to bracket 103 by means of an attachment bolt 107,a washer 107 a and a nut 109. A control body in the form of a take-upbody 170 is mounted around supporting shaft 108 for rotation around arotational axis (X). A first ratchet mechanism 150, used as a firsttransmission, transmits the displacement of sliding operating body 220to the take-up body 170 to cause the rotation of the take-up body 170 inone direction, and a second ratchet mechanism 160, used as a secondtransmission, transmits the displacement of pivoting operating body 130to the take-up body 170 to cause the rotation of the take-up body 170 inthe other direction. In this embodiment, displacement of pivotingoperating body 130 causes the take-up body 170 to pull on cable 104, anddisplacement of sliding operating body 220 causes the. take-up body 170to release cable 104.

The take-up body 170 is equipped with a drum part 169 which isconstructed so that the shift control cable 104 from a shiftingmechanism (not shown) on the front or rear of the bicycle is taken upalong a wire groove 174. By rotating in the forward direction or reversedirection with respect to the supporting shaft 108, the take-up body 170takes up or pays out the shift control cable 104. Take-up body 170 iscoupled to a drive plate 171 for integral rotation therewith. As shownin FIGS. 6 and 7, drive plate 171 includes a plurality of drive teeth173 and a plurality of position retaining teeth 172, all of which aredisposed in a common plane (T), as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Sliding operating body 220 includes a pawl pushing roller 250 rotatablymounted between roller support ears 254 and 256 disposed at a pawloperating end 258 of sliding operating body 220 through a pivot shaft260 and a C-clip 270, wherein pivot shaft 260 extends through openings264 and 266 in mounting ears 254 and 256, respectively. Slidingoperating body 220 is slidingly mounted to intermediate bracket 227between a release plate 274, slide shims 276 and 278, and a releaseplate bushing 280, all of which are mounted to intermediate bracket 227through bolts 282 (only one such bolt is shown in FIG. 3) that extendthrough openings 284, 286, 288 and 290 in release plate 274, slide shims276 and 278 and release plate bushing 280, respectively, and through twopairs of opposed openings 292 (only two such openings are shown in FIG.3) in intermediate bracket 227. Sliding operating body 220 also includesan elongated opening 294 for accommodating bolts 282 so that bolts 282do not interfere with the sliding operation of sliding operating body220.

Release plate 274 includes a spring coupling abutment 298. One end of areturn spring 300 is attached to spring coupling abutment 298, and theother end of return spring 300 is attached to mounting ear 256 insliding operating body 220 through an opening 304. Return spring 300biases sliding operating body 220 toward a home position (HP1) shown inFIGS. 4 and 6.

The first ratchet mechanism 150 comprises a first pawl 151 that isrotatably attached to pivot pin 152 extending from pawl support plate106, the plurality of position retaining teeth 172 which are formed onthe outer circumferential surface of the drive plate 171, and a spring153 which drives the first pawl 151 clockwise (in FIGS. 6 and 7) in thedirection of engagement with position retaining teeth 172. First pawl151 includes pawl tips 151A and 151B for engaging position retainingteeth 172 and a pawl operating part 151C for engaging pawl pushingroller 250 on sliding operating member 220. The operation of firstratchet mechanism 150 is the same as in the shift control devicedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,138, incorporated herein by reference,so a detailed description of its operation shall be omitted. The path ofmotion of sliding operating body 220 is substantially parallel to theratchet teeth plane (T).

The pivoting operating body 130 is equipped with a second arm part 131,the second finger contact part 132 which is formed on the tip of thesecond arm part 131 in order to allow finger operation, and a pawlsupporting part 133. A spring 111 is connected between washer 107A andpawl supporting part 133 for biasing pivoting operating body 130, andhence finger contacting part 132, to a second home position HP2 shown bysolid lines in FIG. 1. The path of motion of pivoting operating body130, from second home position HP2 to a second shift position shown bybroken lines in FIG. 1, is substantially parallel to the ratchet teethplane (T).

The second ratchet mechanism 160 comprises a second pawl 161 that isrotatably attached to a pivot pin 162 extending from pawl supportingpart 133, the plurality of drive teeth 173 formed on the outercircumferential surface of the drive plate 171, and a spring 163 whichbiases the second pawl 161 clockwise (in FIGS. 6 and 7) in the directionof engagement with drive teeth 173. When pivoting operating body 130 isin the home position (HP2) shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a tip 161A of pawl161 rests on a ledge 272D of intermediate bracket 227, thus uncouplingpawl 161 from drive plate 172. The operation of second ratchet mechanism160 also is the same as the shift control device disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,921,138, so a detailed description of its operation shall beomitted.

Because sliding operating body 220 operates pawl 151 by pressing pawlpressing roller 250 against pawl operating part 151C when slidingoperating body 220 moves from the first home position HP1 shown in FIG.6 to a first shift position shown in FIG. 7, very little movement (e.g.,9 millimeters) is required to operate pawl 151. Operating forcereceiving surface 203 of operating tab 202 is inclined relative to ahorizontal axis (H) which, in this embodiment, is parallel to ratchetteeth plane (T). Thus, operating tab 202 will pivot counterclockwise asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5 even if the rider's thumb applies a verticallydownward force. As a result of the small movement required to operatepawl 151 and the inclined nature of operating tab 202, operating tab 202may operate sliding operating body 220 without requiring the rider topress perpendicular to the handlebar and without precision placement ofthe rider's thumb. Indeed, even a downward sliding motion of the thumbcould operate sliding operating body 220 across the front face of shiftcontrol device 105.

While the above is a description of various embodiments of the presentinvention, further modifications may be employed without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, operatingbody 220 may cause take-up body 170 to rotate in the cable pay outdirection, and operating body 130 may cause take-up body 170 to rotatein the cable take-up direction. If desired, operating body 220 may beconstructed for pivoting displacement, and operating body 130 may beconstructed for sliding displacement with the operating tab 202described above. Both operating bodies 220 and 130 may be slidingoperating bodies, each with their own operating tab. While the path ofmovement of sliding operating body 220 in the above embodiment issubstantially parallel to the plane of the ratchet teeth (T), the pathmay vary, for example, by plus or minus thirty degrees.

While operating tab 202 pivoted around a pivot axis (P) that wassubstantially parallel to the handlebar axis (HB) in the aboveembodiments, the pivot axis (P) could be inclined relative to thehandlebar axis (HB) by any degree to accommodate different ridingstyles. The configuration of operating tab 202 also could be changedaccordingly. For example, FIG. 8 is a top view of relevant components ofan alternative embodiment shift control device 400 wherein an interfacemember in the form of an operating member 404 with an operating forcereceiving surface 405 and an operating force applying surface 406 isconnected to the right side of intermediate bracket 227 through a pivotshaft 408 so that operating member 404 pivots around a pivot axis (P)that is substantially perpendicular to handlebar axis (HB) and issubstantially parallel to rotational axis (X). Also, operating member404 moves in a direction toward a plane (PL) that contains the handlebarmounting axis (HB) and is parallel with the rotational axis (X) whensliding operating body 220 moves from the home position toward the shiftposition. In this case, the cyclist may operate sliding operating body220 by a leftward and/or forward sliding motion of the thumb or finger,thereby pressing operating member 404 toward handlebar axis (HB).

FIG. 9 is a top view of relevant components of another alternativeembodiment shift control device 420 wherein an interface member in theform of a fan-shaped operating member 424 with an operating forcereceiving surface 425 and an operating force applying surface 426 isconnected to the left side of intermediate bracket 227 through a pivotshaft 428 so that operating member 424 pivots around a pivot axis (P)that is substantially perpendicular to handlebar axis (HB) and issubstantially parallel to rotational axis (X). Operating member 424 alsomoves in a direction toward plane (PL) when sliding operating body 220moves from the home position toward the shift position. In this case,the cyclist may operate sliding operating body 220 by a rightward and/orforward sliding motion of the thumb or finger, thereby pressingoperating member 424 toward handlebar axis (HB).

FIG. 10 is a top view of relevant components of another alternativeembodiment shift control device 430 wherein an interface member in theform of a lever-shaped operating member 434 with an operating forcereceiving surface 435 and an operating force applying surface 436 isconnected to the right side of intermediate bracket 227 through a pivotshaft 438 so that operating member 434 pivots around a pivot axis (P)that is substantially perpendicular to handlebar axis (HB) and issubstantially parallel to rotational axis (X). Operating member 434 alsomoves in a direction toward plane (PL) when sliding operating body 220moves from the home position toward the shift position. In thisembodiment, operating member 434 is an L-shaped member having anoperating force receiving member 437 extending from pivot shaft 438 andan operating force applying member 439 extending from pivot shaft 438substantially perpendicular to operating force receiving member 437 suchthat pivot shaft 438 is located at the junction of operating forcereceiving member 437 and operating force applying member 439, andoperating force applying surface 436 is disposed in front of handlebaraxis (HB). Thus, the cyclist may operate sliding operating body 220 by arearward and/or lateral sliding motion of the thumb or finger, therebypressing operating force receiving member 437 toward handlebar axis(HB).

FIG. 11 is a top view of relevant components of another alternativeembodiment shift control device 440 wherein an interface member in theform of a lever-shaped operating member 444 with an operating forcereceiving surface 445 and an operating force applying surface 446 isconnected to the right side of intermediate bracket 227 through a pivotshaft 448 so that operating member 444 pivots around a pivot axis (P)that is substantially perpendicular to handlebar axis (HB) and issubstantially parallel to rotational axis (X). Operating member 444 alsomoves in a direction toward plane (PL) when sliding operating body 220moves from the home position toward the shift position. In thisembodiment as well, operating member 444 is an L-shaped member having anoperating force receiving member 447 extending from pivot shaft 448 andan operating force applying member 449 extending from pivot shaft 448substantially perpendicular to operating force receiving member 447 suchthat pivot shaft 448 is located at the junction of operating forcereceiving member 447 and operating force applying member 449, andoperating force applying surface 446 is disposed behind handlebar axis(HB). Thus, the cyclist may operate sliding operating body 220 by aforward and/or lateral sliding motion of the thumb or finger, therebypressing operating force receiving member 447 toward handlebar axis(HB).

The size, shape, location or orientation of the various components maybe changed as desired. Components that are shown directly connected orcontacting each other may have intermediate structures disposed betweenthem. The functions of one element may be performed by two, and viceversa. The structures and functions of one embodiment may be adopted inanother embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be presentin a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature that isunique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features,also should be considered a separate description of further inventionsby the applicant, including the structural and/or functional conceptsembodied by such feature(s). Thus, the scope of the invention should notbe limited by the specific structures disclosed or the apparent initialfocus or emphasis on a particular structure or feature.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle shift control device which operates ashifting mechanism via a shift control cable, the shift control devicecomprising: a mounting member structured to mount the shift controldevice to a handlebar, wherein the mounting member defines a handlebarmounting axis (HB); a control body supported by the mounting member androtatable about a rotational axis (X) for controlling the shift controlcable; a first operating body having an abutment in a position spacedapart from the control body and which is coupled to the shift controldevice for movement between a first home position and a first shiftposition; a first transmission that converts movement of the firstoperating body from the first home position to the first shift positioninto rotation of the control body, wherein the first transmissionincludes a plurality of ratchet teeth; an interface member movablymounted relative to the first operating body and having an operatingforce receiving surface and an operating force applying surface, whereinthe operating force receiving surface is adapted to receive an operatingforce from a rider; wherein the interface member pivots around a pivotaxis (P) so that the operating force applying surface applies theoperating force to the abutment of the first operating body for movingthe first operating body from the first home position to the first shiftposition; wherein the pivot axis (P) is inclined relative to thehandlebar mounting axis (HB); wherein the interface member moves in adirection toward a plane (PL) that contains the handlebar mounting axis(HB) and is parallel with the rotational axis (X) when the firstoperating body moves from the first home position toward the first shiftposition; and wherein the interface member comprises a lever including:an operating force receiving member extending from the pivot axis (P);and an operating force applying member extending from the operatingforce receiving member; wherein free ends of the operating forcereceiving member and the operating force applying member are spacedapart from each other.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein theplurality of ratchet teeth are disposed in a ratchet teeth plane (T),and wherein the ratchet teeth plane (T) is parallel to a horizontal axis(H).
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of ratchetteeth are disposed in a ratchet teeth plane (T), and wherein a path ofmovement of the first operating body is substantially parallel to theratchet teeth plane (T).
 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein thepivot axis (P) is disposed at a junction between the operating forcereceiving member and the operating force applying member.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the first operating body moves linearlybetween the first home position and the first shift position.
 6. Thedevice according to claim 5 wherein the first operating body moves in astraight line between the first home position and the first shiftposition.
 7. The device according to claim 1 further comprising: asecond operating body coupled to the shift control device for movementbetween a second home position and a second shift position; and a secondtransmission that converts the movement of the second operating bodyfrom the second home position to the second shift position into arotation of the control body.
 8. The device according to claim 7 whereinthe second operating body rotates between the second home position andthe second shift position.
 9. The device according to claim 8 whereinthe second operating body forms a finger contact part in a positionspaced apart from the control body.
 10. The device according to claim 9wherein the second operating body rotates around the rotational axis(X).
 11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the first operatingbody moves in a straight line between the first home position and thefirst shift position.
 12. The device according to claim 1 wherein thepivot axis (P) extends through an end portion of at least one of theoperating force receiving member or the operating force applying member.13. The device according to claim 12 wherein the operating forcereceiving member extends away from the pivot axis (P), and wherein theoperating force applying member extends away from the operating forcereceiving member and away from the pivot axis (P).
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 13 wherein the pivot axis (P) is disposed at ajunction between the operating force receiving member and the operatingforce applying member.
 15. The device according to claim 13 wherein theoperating force receiving surface is inclined relative to the operatingforce applying surface.